Efficacy of Aqueous Seed Extract of Carica papaya on Avian Ascaridia galli Infection.

Abstract

The possible effectiveness of Carica papaya aqueous seed extract in the control of Ascaridia galli infection in birds was studied. Thirty cockerels divided into four groups were experimentally infected with A. galli, with two groups treated with 100 mg and 200 mg aqueous seed extract per 100g bodyweight respectively, for five days while another group of bird were given piprezine citrate and the fourth group served as control. The faecal samples were collected and analyzed every 24 hr to monitore the number of Eggs per gram (EPG). The birds were slaughtered on day 6 and worms recovered and counted. The phytochemistry of the seed was also carried out using standard methods. Results showed a concentration dependent reduction of the EPG count.The worm counted showed that C. papaya seed extract reduced the warm burden significantly (P<0.05).The percentage efficacy was 63.4%, 78.1%and 98.8% for the 100, 200 mg/100g aqueous seed extract and piperazine citrate, respectively. Alkaloids saponins and flavonins were found to be present while tannins and glycosidess were absent. It is concluded that C. papaya seed extract is a potential dewormer for birds.